Elucidation of defensive mechanisms against oxidative stress and search of novel antioxidative substances

核红细胞2 p45相关因子2 (Nrf2)-抗氧化反应元件（ARE）通路，诱导抗氧化蛋白的表达，是细胞对氧化应激的反应。在本研究中，我们阐明了Nrf2-ARE系统的调控机制，并鉴定了一种新的激活剂。首先，我们研究了生物活性物质对萝卜硫素激活Nrf2-ARE的影响，萝卜硫素是一种众所周知的激活剂。我们发现维甲酸增强了萝卜硫素诱导的ARE活化。其次，我们从紫苏提取物中鉴定了一种新的激活剂，并阐明了其对6-羟多巴胺诱导的细胞死亡的保护作用。

Nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, which induces expression of antioxidant proteins, is a cellular response to oxidative stress. In this study, we clarified the regulatory mechanisms of Nrf2-ARE system and identified a novel activator. First, we examined the effect of bioactive substances on Nrf2-ARE activation by sulforaphan, which is a well-known activator. We found that retinoic acid enhanced sulforaphan-induced ARE activation. Second, we identified a novel activator from extract of Perilla frutescens and clarified the protective effect against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death.